…Started programming at eight years, earlier nicknamed ‘professor’ for ace performance in a specialized computer school in Lagos State, now celebrated in the UK, USA
*Computer proficiency ultimately got her a job as an after-school coding teacher at Southfields Primary School in Coventry, England
*Achieved a landmark as an expert in Computer Publishing, Advanced Excel, Adobe Page Maker, Advanced PowerPoint and CorelDraw at the age of seven
*Developed expertise in TML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, WordPress, PHP, MySQL, Graphic Design, Java and Python
*Admitted into Mary Baldwin University in the United States to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the age of 13, scored a 91 percentile mark of 1,300 in her Scholastic Aptitude Test
*She wants orbit everything cyberspace has to offer in machine learning, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more, created own education mobile application known as ‘Emma’s ICT Academy’
*”My daughter’s outstanding success, who will be graduating at the of 16 years in the United States has already challenged a lot of negative stereotypes. It’s been wonderful to see Emma inspire other parents to support the development of their own children in technology”-Father, John MAYAKI
*BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER & JIM OBAFEMI, InfoTech Editor, Britain
SHE IS NO DOUBT A HUGE SUCCESS STORY AND INPIRATION to the kids and youths around the world. Born in Edo State, Nigeria 15-years-ago. Her name is EMMANUELLA MAYAKI, but friends, family and fans call her ‘EMMA”. She is so endowed in Computer programming, as far back as when she was seven years old. She never looked back thereafter. Today, she is being celebrated in the United States and United Kingdom for her extraordinary cyberspace talent as ‘World’s Coding Prodigy’ of all times at her younger age.
One of tech’s most promising experts is Mayaki, a true coding and programming prodigy.
Growing up, “Emma always doted on technological devices,” says her father, Prince John Mayaki. “At first, I attributed it to nothing more than childlike curiosity, but I soon realized we had a genius on our hands.”
It wasn’t long before Emma’s desire to learn more about technology outweighed her interest in anything else. The parents enrolled her in a specialized computer school for adults- where, despite her youth, she had no problem fitting in.
“I was able to cope with the adults. They actually called me ‘professor,’” Emma told us.
Little did she know the title would stick. Emma’s computer proficiency ultimately got her a job as an after-school coding teacher at Southfields Primary School in Coventry, England- where, at the time, she was registered as a student.
“It still baffles me,” Emma admits, reflecting on her transition from student to teacher. But instead of succumbing to the pressure, the young tech genius embraced her new role by starting an online coding school, Emma’s ICT Academy, for kids in Nigeria.
Even though technology is an advantageous career path, too many African parents push their children towards medicine, law, and engineering. Emma’s on a mission to add technology to that list. In fact, her success has already “challenged a lot of negative stereotypes,” says the elder Mayaki.
“It’s been wonderful to see Emma inspire other parents to support the development of their own children in technology,” he adds.
Technology is an explosive field. Just cybersecurity alone has as many as 3.5 million unfilled positions globally in 2021. But to enter the field, kids have to learn the basics -which is easier said than done in developing regions such as Africa. Last year, UNICEF reported that just 5 percent of young people in West and Central Africa had internet access at home, compared to 33 percent worldwide.
Further, it’s especially difficult for girls to break into cyberspace because of its long-standing reputation as a boys club. However, by sharing Emma’s story, “we show what is possible with the right tutelage and guidance,” Prince Mayaki said.
So, what are Emma’s plans for the future? The young girl has big dreams; she wants to orbit everything cyberspace has to offer-machine learning, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more.
“I know it’s a lot for a child like me-a 12-year-old girl,” quips Emma, but she remains steadfastly self-assured. “I can do it.” Knowing Emma, we’d expect nothing less.
An exceptional 13-year-old girl named Emmanuella Mayaki has been accepted to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Mary Baldwin University in the United States.
in 2022, Mayaki was accepted to study Computer Science in the spring at the Mary Baldwin University.
She scored a 91 percentile mark of 1,300 in her Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Since age 7, Mayaki achieved a landmark as an expert in Computer Publishing, Advanced Excel, Adobe Page Maker, Advanced PowerPoint and CorelDraw.
She thereafter enrolled to study web development and utilized the knowledge to develop her own education mobile application known as Emma’s ICT Academy.
Emmanuella Mayaki developed expertise in TML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, WordPress, PHP, MySQL, Graphic Design, Java and Python. She revealed that she became a teacher in the United Kingdom after she volunteered to impact other students.
Emmanuella Mayaki is expected to graduate from the university at the age of 16 as a Computer Scientist.
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